Instantaneous Speed

Question 1

What is instantaneous speed?

Answer 1

Instantaneous speed is a measure of the speed of an object at a single point in time. (Or over a very short distance/time)

Question 2

What is the formula for instantaneous speed?

Answer 2

d=vt
OR
v=d/t
OR
t=d/v

Question 3

What do the three letters in the instantaneous speed formula represent?

Answer 3

v=instantaneous speed
d=length of mask/object
t=time recorded/time beam is broken

Question 4

What is the difference between average speed and instantaneous speed?

Answer 4

Average speed is measured over a longer period of time and is therefore less useful in other formulas. Instantaneous speed is over a much shorter distance and is therefore more precise and useful.

Question 5

Describe an experiment to find instantaneous speed.

Answer 5

1. Place light gate on a ramp and connect to a QED computer
2. Set the QED to measure instantaneous speed and input the size of the mask attached to the trolley.
3. Release the trolley and the computer should show the instantaneous speed.